Deathrow (film)

Deathrow is a 2000 Filipino melodrama film, directed by Joel Lamangan, about an orphaned boy who is roped into taking part in a robbery that ultimately changes his life. The movie's plot is centered on 16-year-old Sonny Corpus (Cogie Domingo), a resident of the slums of Manila. After being caught and convicted of robbery, Corpus is sentenced to death row. The film revolves around Corpus's life in prison and coping with his past actions.

Deathrow
Directed byJoel Lamangan
Produced byExecutive producer
Gilberto Duavit Jr.
Felipe Gozon
Menardo R. Jiminez
Written byJoel Lamangan
Butch Jimenez
Ricky Lee
Manny Palo
StarringEddie Garcia
Cogie Domingo
Music byRyan Cayabyab
CinematographyMonino Duque
Edited byKelly N. Cruz
Jess Navarro
Distributed byGMA Films
Release date
December 25, 2000
Running time
118 minutes
CountryPhilippines
LanguageFilipino

The film received numerous awards, including Best Actor (Eddie Garcia), Best Production Design (Joey Luna) and Best Film Editing (Jess Navarro and Kelly N. Cruz) at the 2000 Metro Manila Film Festival. The film was also featured at the Film Academy of the Philippines, and won awards for Best Actor (Eddie Garcia), Best Editing (Jess Navarro), Best Production Design (Joey Luna) and Best Supporting Actor (Pen Medina).

Plot

16-year-old Sonny Corpus (Cogie Domingo), born and raised in the slums of Manila, frequently hangs out with his friends Celso, Jimmy, and Rodel, who also pressure Sonny to spend more time with them. Unbeknownst to Sonny, his friends plan to rob a house one night. During the robbery, Celso accidentally fires at the owner of the house (Anita Linda), killing her. Police arrive at the scene and Jimmy and Rodel are killed, prompting Sonny to freeze and Celso to run. The police find Sonny at the scene and arrest him.

Sonny is detained and cross-examined, and his lawyer points out that his client is still a minor. However, he fails to show ample evidence. Although Sonny didn't kill anyone during the robbery, he is found guilty of murder and subsequently sentenced to death row. After a harsh introduction to prison life during his struggle to come to terms with the court's verdict, he finds his place among the convicts.

'Mayor' Mio, a fellow inmate who holds a position of power in the prison hierarchy, attempts to recruit Sonny as a dealer for his cocaine smuggling business. Sonny hesitantly accepts. The cocaine business is known to the jail warden Fajardo (Spanky Manikan) who is also an accomplice in the illegal business. Gabino (Pen Medina), Mio's second-in-command, attempts to win Sonny's support as part of his secretive preparations for a coup against Mio.

Fellow inmate Lolo Sinat (Eddie Garcia), a 77-year-old gangster who appears to be the most powerful and senior inmate on death row, eventually takes Sonny under his wings. He advises Sonny to stop his involvement in the drug business. When a high-ranking official visits the prison, Sonny confesses to him about the drug business. Gabino exacts revenge by giving Sonny a severe beating; he is also raped and tortured.

Sonny seeks the help of Gina (Jaclyn Jose), a public attorney who also handles the case of Lolo Sinat, to appeal his case. Lolo Sinat does not trust Gina, often calling her a stupid lawyer; she responds by telling him he does not know how to love. Lolo Sinat tells Sonny about his past and how he was brought to jail. The two become closer, and Lolo Sinat promises Sonny that he will help the boy so that when Lolo Sinat faces God, he could say that for once in his life, he has done something right.

With the help of Lukas (Mon Confiado), Lolo Sinat and Sonny manage to escape, but are caught the next day. Gina then tells Lolo Sinat that his death penalty will be served the next week. With his death drawing near, the old man encourages Gina to help Sonny appeal his case. Gabino tries to rape Sonny again, but the boy fights back with a bread knife and stabs Gabino several times, killing him. Lolo Sinat covers up for Sonny.

Before being brought to the lethal injection chamber, Lolo Sinat gives his old walkman to Sonny.

After several weeks, Gina's appeal for Sonny's case becomes successful. Celso is found and brought to justice and Sonny is released from jail.

Cast
  • Cogie Domingo as Sonny Corpus
  • Eddie Garcia as Lolo Sinat
  • Ray Ventura as 'Mayor' Mio
  • Pen Medina as Gabino
  • Jaclyn Jose as Gina
  • Angelika dela Cruz as Sabel
  • Tony Mabesa as 'Governor' Asunta
  • Spanky Manikan as Fajardo
  • Mon Confiado as Lukas
  • Nonie Buencamino as Nardo
  • Ace Espinosa as Young Lolo Sinat
  • Janine Desiderio as Ruby
  • Allan Paule as Cenon
  • Mel Kimura as Cenon's wife
  • Jim Pebanco as Lupe
  • Maureen Mauricio as Sonny's aunt
  • Anita Linda as robbery victim
  • Joseph Izon as Celso
  • Marky Alonzo as Rodel
  • Randy Ramos as Jimmy
  • Richard Quan as Armand
  • Tessie Villarama as Judge
  • James Patricks as Sonny's lawyer

Media release

The series was released onto DVD-format and VCD-format by GMA Records.

Awards and nominations

GMA Films' entry to the 2000 Metro Manila Film Festival where it won awards for 2nd Best Film, Best Actor (Eddie Garcia), Best Production Design (Joey Luna), Best Film Editing (Jess Navarro and Kelly N. Cruz), Best Sound Recording (Albert Michael Idioma and Rudy Gonzales).

Won FAP (Film Academy of the Philippines) Awards for Best Actor (Eddie Garcia), Best Editing (Jess Navarro), Best Production Design (Joey Luna) and Best Supporting Actor (Pen Medina).[1]

Won Gawad Urian Awards for Best Actor (Eddie Garcia), Best Editing (Jess Navarro and Kelly N. Cruz) and Best Sound (Albert Michael Idioma and Rudy Gonzales).

It was given the Prix Du Meilleur Film Engage au Service d’une Cause (Prize for the Best Committed Film Championing a Cause) at the 23rd International Festival of Independent Films in Brussels, Belgium in 2001 for its sensitive yet realistic depiction of the plight of a juvenile delinquent on death row.

It was nominated for Golden Cairo Award in the 2001 Cairo International Film Festival. It was shown and competed in other international film festivals.

It was shown at the 2001 Toronto International Film Festival.[2]

References
  1. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-11-23. Retrieved 2013-03-19.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. http://www.mrqe.com/movie_reviews/deathrow-m100082725
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